Gay Guadalajara

Guadalajara, Mexico's second largest city, is fondly referred to as “The San Francisco of Mexico" for its numerous museums and artsy community. It has come to be a favorite vacation destination for international gay and lesbian travelers the world over. Throughout the centuries, the city has become rich in history, and to this day, many of the most historic and beautiful of Guadalajara's buildings stand as reminders of the significance Guadalajara has had and will continue to have on Mexico. Many people flock to Guadalajara for the same reason that Californians frequently go to Los Angeles, to shop! Others travel to Guadalajara to bask in its mild, spring like sunshine, savor its music, and admire its grand monuments and architecture.

Guadalajara offers an array of gay friendly hotels, inns and guesthouse accommodations for the gay and lesbian traveller to satisfy all budgets and tastes. One of the most popular gay-friendly hotels is Hotel San Francisco (Delgado No. 267), located in the heart of downtown within walking distance to the sightseeing, shopping and several of the gay bars. Prices and amenities vary so there is always plenty of options for the gay and lesbian traveller.

Mexicans take their food seriously and Guadalajara boasts literally hundreds of places to eat , ranging from elegant restaurants to unpretentious cafés, and from loncherias which are cafés with more emphasis on short orders to neverias that serve ice cream and fresh fruit drinks. Among the local specialities dished up at street stalls, bars and the markets are birria, consisting of beef or lamb in a spicy but not particularly hot sauce, served with tortillas or in tacos; roast goat; and pozole, a stew of pork and hominy (ground maize). Don't pass up the street vendors either, their fresh tacos and bags of spiced fruit are delicious and make a cheap, healthy snack.

Guadalajara has it's own Pride Parade in June and at any given time, there's somewhere between 15 to 20 gay bars open in the city for all the different tastes. There are bathhouses, bars, clubs throughout the city. The most famous is the hugh ‘Monica's’ that can host up to maybe 5,000 people. Also checkout ‘Angel's’ and ‘Circus’. Usually, clubs start getting busy around 11 and some of them close at 2. Then people goes to Monica's that closes at 5 or 6, and if you still have the party bug, go back to Angel's that opens again as an after-hours. Guadalajara boasts its own gay radio program and a community centre. When the sun sets, locals and visitors alike hit the town for dinner, dancing, entertainment and fun. A couple of great gay bars include the popular Angels Bar and Disco (Lopez Cotilla 1495), boasting heart-thumping electronica and house music until the wee hours and Monica’s Disco (Alvaro Obregon 1713), playing some of the latest Latin American rhythms. If you’re new to the city, try to find "La Guia Rosa" (The Pink Guide) or "Zona Gay" (Gay Zone) the local magazines with information about the latest bar-openings and events.

Guadalajara is perhaps the “most Mexican” of cities. For those seeking retail therapy, Guadalajara has plenty to offer. Handicrafts such as blown glass, leather goods, pottery and jewelry are some of the finest in the world. A popular shopping area is Plaza Tapatia with acres of shops and restaurants beside fountain-studded malls along side Guadalajara’s famous theaters, churches, museums. ‘Must visit’ places include the twin steeples of the cathedral dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption. Building started in 1561 and wasn’t finished until 30 years later. Outside, broad plazas surround the cathedral. Another is the Teatro Degollado, often compared in style and architecture to La Scalla in Milan, is home to great opera, ballet and music.

So, if you’re looking for a city vacation with culture,

Guadalajara Gay and Lesbian Hotels, Inns, and Guest Houses

Properties are shown in their current Pink Choice ranking order, within one of four price bands ranging from luxury ($$$$) to economy ($).